Why our clinic doesn’t offer patient finance – We can’t compete with high street lenders and want you to get a better rate

Paying for healthcare can be a significant decision, especially when treatment is planned rather than urgent. Our clinic does not offer in-house patient finance or third-party patient finance because we do not believe we can compete with high street lenders on APR, and we are not comfortable encouraging patients into high-rate finance when better options may be available elsewhere. Instead, we prefer to be transparent about costs and encourage patients to compare their own healthcare financing options carefully.

Why doesn’t the clinic offer patient finance?

We do not offer patient finance because we want patients to make borrowing decisions independently, with full visibility of the terms, rates, and responsibilities involved. Clinics that offer finance often work through third-party providers, but those arrangements can come with high APRs that may not be as competitive as products available through high street lenders. Rather than presenting finance as part of the treatment journey, we believe patients are usually better served by shopping around, comparing lenders, and choosing an option that suits their own circumstances.

This is not because we underestimate how helpful flexible payment can be. We understand that treatment costs can affect when, how, and whether someone chooses to go ahead. However, healthcare decisions already carry enough pressure without adding a financial product that may not be the most competitive option. Our view is simple: if borrowing is right for you, it should be chosen because it is the best fit for your budget, not because it was placed in front of you at the clinic.

There is also a trust issue. When a clinic offers finance, it can sometimes feel like part of the recommendation, even if the finance provider is separate. We do not want patients to feel rushed into treatment or borrowing. Keeping finance separate helps keep the conversation focused on your care, your options, and the real cost of treatment before any payment decision is made.

Our approach to treatment costs

Our aim is to make treatment pricing as clear as possible before you commit. Where costs can vary, we will explain how that can affect the final price.  That gives you the information you need to plan, ask questions and decide whether to proceed now, later, or not at all.

Good financial decisions start with knowing the true cost of care. For planned treatment, that may include the initial consultation, diagnostic appointments, treatment stages, reviews, aftercare or follow-up visits where applicable. We will avoid presenting treatment as “affordable” simply because a monthly repayment figure could be arranged elsewhere. A low monthly figure can still be attached to a higher overall cost if interest, fees or longer repayment terms apply.

This is why we separate clinical recommendations from finance decisions. Our role is to explain your treatment options and  the associate fees. Your role is to decide whether the treatment and payment route are right for you, with time to compare and reflect.

High street lenders may offer more competitive rates

High street lenders often have the scale, infrastructure and range of products to offer more competitive borrowing options than a clinic-linked finance provider. We cannot guarantee that any lender will offer you a better rate and we cannot advise you which product to choose. However, we believe it is sensible for patients to compare the wider market before agreeing to any credit arrangement.

APR matters because it affects the total amount you repay. A finance offer that looks convenient at the point of treatment may not be the cheapest or most suitable option once you read the full terms. Some patients may also have access to existing banking arrangements or savings  that are more appropriate for them than clinic-arranged credit.

This is the key reason behind our policy: we cannot compete with high street lenders on APR, and we do not feel comfortable with the high-rate finance sometimes offered in private healthcare settings. We would rather lose the convenience of offering finance than risk nudging patients toward borrowing that may not represent good value for them.

What should patients compare before borrowing?

Patients should compare the full cost of borrowing, not just the monthly repayment. A monthly figure can be useful for budgeting, but it does not tell the whole story. Before using any loan, credit card, or finance product to pay for treatment, take time to understand how much you will repay in total and what happens if your circumstances change.

Use this checklist as a starting point when reviewing healthcare financing options:

• APR and interest rate: Check whether the rate is fixed or variable and how it affects the total repayment.
• Total amount repayable: Look beyond the monthly payment and calculate the full cost over the whole term.
• Fees and charges: Read whether there are arrangement fees, late payment fees, early repayment charges or other costs.
• Repayment term: A longer term may reduce monthly payments but can increase the overall amount paid.
• Affordability: Consider whether repayments remain manageable if your income or expenses change.
• Cooling-off rights and cancellation terms: Understand what happens if you change your mind or treatment plans change.
• Impact on credit: Any borrowing may affect your credit record or future borrowing ability.

This guide is general information only and is not financial advice. We encourage all patients to compare lenders, read terms carefully and seek independent financial guidance if they are unsure. You should only borrow if you are comfortable with the commitment and understand the risks.

Clinic-based payment methods that may be available

Although we do not offer in-house or third-party patient finance, there may still be practical ways to manage treatment costs through the clinic, depending on the treatment plan. These are not credit products and they do not replace independent financial advice. They are simply payment arrangements that may help patients plan care more comfortably.

Staged treatment, where available

Some treatment plans can be completed in stages, where clinically appropriate. This may allow costs to be spread across different appointments rather than paid all at once. Staged treatment is not always possible, because some care needs to follow a specific clinical sequence or timeframe, but we will explain this clearly if it applies.

Where staged treatment is available, it can give patients more time to budget between appointments. It may also help separate essential treatment from optional or later-stage work. The priority will always be clinical suitability, not just payment convenience.

Deposits, where available

When booking a procedure, a deposit is  required, we will explain when it is due and how it relates to the remaining balance. We will also make clear any relevant cancellation or rearrangement information before you proceed.

You should only pay a deposit when you understand the treatment plan, the total expected cost, and the clinic’s terms.

Savings and planned budgeting

Some patients prefer to delay treatment while they save, particularly when the treatment is elective or can safely wait. This can be a sensible option when there is no clinical urgency and when saving avoids the cost of interest. If you are considering waiting, please discuss this with the clinic so we can explain any clinical implications of delaying care.

Saving is not always possible or appropriate, especially where treatment is time-sensitive. However, when it is realistic, it can give patients more control and reduce financial pressure. We would rather support a patient in making a planned decision than encourage them to rush into borrowing.

Patient payment plans are not always the best answer

Patient payment plans can sound reassuring because they turn a larger cost into smaller instalments. In some settings, that may be helpful. But when those plans involve credit, interest or third-party finance, the headline monthly amount can distract from the total amount repayable.

The main issue is that convenience can influence decision-making. If finance is offered at the same moment as a treatment recommendation, a patient may feel that proceeding immediately is the expected next step. We would prefer patients to pause, take away the written cost information and consider all available healthcare payment methods without pressure.

There is also no single finance route that is best for everyone. A patient’s existing bank, credit profile, savings, income and personal preferences can all affect what is suitable. We are a clinic, not a financial adviser, we do not believe we should steer patients toward a specific borrowing product.

How to plan for treatment without clinic finance

A clear plan can make private healthcare costs easier to manage, even without clinic-arranged finance. The first step is to ask for confirmation of expected fees so you know what is payable and when payments are be due. From there, you can consider your options and make a decision that fits your budget without any pressure to proceed.

A practical planning process may look like this:

1. Confirm the treatment recommendation. Make sure you understand what is being recommended, why it is needed and whether there are alternatives.
2. Ask for the expected cost. Request a clear explanation of fees payable.
3. Check clinic payment options. Ask whether staged treatment is appropriate. Understand when a deposit is required and the final outstanding balance due date.
4. Review your own resources. Consider savings and other payment methods you already have access to.
5. Compare borrowing options independently. If you are considering credit, compare lenders, APRs, repayment terms, fees and total repayable amounts.
6. Read every term carefully. Pay close attention to charges, missed-payment consequences, early repayment rules and cancellation terms.
7. Take time before deciding. Unless treatment is urgent, avoid making a financial commitment while feeling pressured or uncertain.

This approach helps keep the clinical decision and the financial decision connected but separate. You can still choose to fund treatment in the way that works for you, but the choice remains yours.

Transparency supports better decisions

We know that not offering patient finance may be less convenient for some patients. It may mean taking extra time to compare options, speak to lenders, check insurance or plan savings. Even so, we believe this is a more transparent and patient-focused approach than offering finance we cannot confidently say is the best value available.

Our responsibility is to explain treatment clearly, provide honest cost information and avoid unnecessary pressure. We cannot compete with high street lenders on APR and we do not want to promote high-rate finance simply because it makes treatment easier to book on the day. If a patient chooses to borrow, we want that decision to be made after proper comparison, not because a clinic finance option appeared to be the default route.

If you are considering treatment with us, please ask for a clear cost breakdown and let us know if you need to understand the payment timing. For borrowing decisions, please compare providers independently, read the terms carefully and choose the option that is genuinely right for you.